Monday, July 6, 2009

Monday's Muse: Knowledge

I'm a nerd and proud of it. It's a common phrase we use around here to describe our love of books, thirst for knowledge and (hopefully) intelligence. My teenager was telling me that there are a new breed of nerds nowadays - stylish, cool, popular and outgoing. Gone are the stereotypical pocket protectors, high waters and taped glasses.

As a matter of fact, I'm often surprised - and pleased - at the guys and gals she points out that have straight A's or that aced a test. It's good to know that it's cool to be smart.

Given my love of all things nerdy, my oldest daughter was storing up some facts to share with me that she learned in her psychology class. Remember: She's away at college. I went to pick her up this past weekend and she said, "Do you know what a hypnic jerk is?"

I leaned closer, eyebrows raised: "Hip. knee. jerk?"

"No, hypnic jerk. H-y-p-n-i-c," she spelled, "jerk."

To her my face held a pleasingly puzzled look.

"Can't say as I do," I told her.

She explained that a hypnic jerk is that jolt-like movement that one often has when they've just fallen asleep. "Really? ..."

"Yup."

"It has a name?"

"Yup."

"Interesting."

"Yup," she says quite pleased with herself. And, I must admit, I'm quite pleased with her as well.

She's not finished: "Do you know what a hippocampus is?"

Now, you can imagine here that I had the same response as before. Only this time I actually heard her correctly.

From what I can understand of this one, it's the area of the brain that controls long-term memory. When I was in college I really enjoyed psychology and I find that I still do.

Although it's quite nerdy of me when she asked me to quiz her on some terms in her textbook I got a little sidetracked by reading the chapter. Hey, I figure that there's always something one can learn, right? Never too old and all of that.

I told you that kind of long story because that's what's fueling my creativity this week: Knowledge. I'm even considering contacting someone at her college to see if I can get an honorary degree when she completes hers. I mean, the way this is going I'll have learned a little something too. I'll even take a test to prove it. (Yes, I'm grinning like a Cheshire cat.)

If you have something that's fueling your creativity this week then pop on over to Maternal Spark and participate in Monday's Muse. But, before you go, make sure you tell me what it is and what you think of mine. Thanks.:)